Suction-box for paper-machines and the like



M. WENZEL. SUCTION BOX FOR PAPER MACHINES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED DECIZ8. I916.

1,366,986, Patellmd .FQII. 1,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- M. WENZ'EL.

SUCTION BOX FOR PAPER MACHINES AND THE LiKE. AFPLICATION may DEC-28, 1916.

1,366,986, Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAX WENZEL, 0F MULDENSTEIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE CHEMICAL FOUNDATION, INC., A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

SUCTION-BOX FOR PAPERMACHINES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters 2mm.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1-, MAX WENZEL, engineer, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at Rittergut Muldenstein H. No. 1, in Muldenstein, lxreis Bitterfeld, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suction-Boxes for Paper-Machines and the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to the suction box of a machine for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, and particularly to a suction box formed by rollers bearing a ainst each other, and more especially to a. suitable end closure device which satisfactorily responds to practical requirements not only as an end closure for the suction chamber, but also as an outlet for the evacuation of the liquid withdrawn from the pulp mass and for the air passing through the pulp web into the suction chamber.

As stated, the more important features of my invention relate to the endclosure member for the suction box, the essential functions of which are substantially to close the opposite ends of the suction chamber against ingress of air at these points and to collect and Withdraw both liquid and air from the suction chamber. The closure member also fulfils the functions of the usual sizing (format) slide.

In order that this closure member may serve to shut off the ends of the suction chamber against the atmosphere, the portion thereof which performs this function substantially corresponds in shape to the cross section of the suction chamber formed by the rollers and the pulp carrying web, but is nevertheless of such size that some clearance is left between it and the rollers. This clearance is very important because the water from the pulp always contains sand, and a frictional bearing between the rollers and end closure member under such conditions would not only cause 'reat wearing of valuable parts, but would also make it impossible to maintain a real and durable ti ht fit.

he narrow fissures or clearances between the closure member and the rollers are of such length that only comparatively small uantities of air find their way theret rough into the suction chamber in view 7 of the fact that the difference in pressure between the atmosphere and the suction chamber is not very great. Furthermore, the resistance to the entrance of air, which is opposed by the film of water which fills this clearance space, is increased by the whirling motion im arted thereto by the rapidly rotating rol ers and the traveling We Departing also from the ractice hitherto prevailing, so form the en closure member that the portion thereof adjacent the pulp carrying web is either completely out of contact with the latter or very nearly so. In order to avoid at this point either too great a clearance on the one hand, or an objectionable bearing contact on the other hand, I so form the portion of the closure member which is subjacent the web that it corresponds to the curvature of the web under working conditions. This portion of the closure member may either be rigidly shaped to the desired curvature, or it may be made of such resiliency that, during working conditions, its sag corresponds to the sag of the web. Means for adjusting this sag are preferably provided.

At least one of the end closure members is hollow to afford an outlet for the water and air. here considerable quantities of water and air are withdrawn, for instance, where the suction chamber is quite broad or where the machine is operated at high speed, both end closure members may be made hollow for this purpose. In such case, it is desirable, for satisfactory operation of the apparatus, that the outlets have the! greatest possible capacity, and moreover, to form separate outlets for the air and water, the air outlet opening to the upper portion and the water outlet to the lower portion of the closure member. The withdrawal of both liquid and air through an outlet "of limited cross section would in many cases, if at all, be possible only with a pump of great capacity, if the necessary partial vacuum is be maintained in the suction chamber. It is obvious that this is quite a departure fromthe heretofore proposed arrangement in which the air and water are withdrawn through the end closure through a common outlet nd subsequently separated-a practice WhlCh yields quite inferior and different results.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially broken, of portion of an apparatus in which m izinvention is embodied in one form;

ig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the' end closure members;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a detail;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the suction box roll bearings, showing its manner of suspension;

Fig. 4 is a broken plan of one end of the suction box ;v and Fig. 4 is a section through an end closure havin a flexible to Un' er the carrylng rollers a, suspended by means of supporting arms 0, on carrying beams b are rollers d ournaled in movable bearings e connected with the arms 0 and arranged in such a way that they fit tightly (preferably by means of springs f) against the rollers a on which they unroll. The rollers a and d together with the Web 9 inclose the suction chamber; the lateral limitation and closing against the atmosphere is efl'ected by closing members h.

These members are formed to so fit the suction chamber into which they project,

that a clearance is left between them and the adjacent surfaces of the rollers. The part of the web facing the closing member is shown (in Figs. 2 and 4) as subjected to the atmospheric pressure and adjustable by hand. The upper side of the closing member is formed by little plates 2' of whalebone, celluloid, metal or the like which fit together in the fashion of roof-tiles and which are clearly shown in cross-section in 'Fig. 4; these plates exactly fit the sag of the web, the atmosphericpresspre causing them to do so. The degree of resistance of these plates 2' against bending down as a consequence of the atmospheric pressure can be regulated by means of a supporting plate is adjustable by hand to suit the requirements.

Fig. 2 shows the shape of the upper part of the closing member (2'. e. the part facing the sieve) when this is secured rigidly; the corresponding wall of said closing member is formed so as to approximately fit the sag of the web in its working condition.

At least one of the lateral closing members (sucking heads) is hollow, so that the liquid and the air collecting in the suction chamber can pass through said member. The liquid and air are withdrawn either through a common conduit or as shown in the drawing by withdrawing the air and liquid by means of two pipes Z and m respectively; the liquid-drain pipe may in that case act as a barometric drop-pipe or siphon, whereas the exit for the air may be connected to a vacuum conduit.

Theclosing members it are movable laterally with regard to the direction of travel of the sieve by means of a screw-gear and 1,see,ese

they are supported in guides o and p, fixed to the carrying beam 6.

This way of adjusting the closing members has been chosen with a double purpose, namely: in order that the closing members may at the same time serve as sizing-slide and in order to allow of placing and withdrawing the suction chamber rollers when changing the web, without any further dismounting, merely by pressing out the end closures; but evidently separate sizing-slides adjustable by themselves may be provided.

he end closure heads may preferably slide in a shaped out recess, serving as a guide.

The bushes of the bearings for the carrying rollers 11 have an eccentric bore in order to facilitate a precise fit of the parts of the suction box and to secure at the same time a simple adjustability in order to take up wear. The bearings e of the pressing rollers a consist of oscillating levers supported by the pressing springs f. When this sup ort is pushed aside, the bearing-lever e alls down and allows to place orwi'thdraw the pressing roller (1, which may be provided with a rubber surface. The bearing lever e is shaped so that when it is not supported it hangs downward but it can still carry the pressing-roller d. The eccentrically bored bushes of the carrying roller (1 are pressed against the arms 0 by the clamping lever t by the clamping screw u, whereby the carrying roller a gets a more rigid bearing. When taking out the carrying rollers a. the clamping screw u is loosened. Thereby the clampirig'lever t can be turned until the bearings of the carrying rollers a are free, thus allowing its withdrawal. The clamping lever 15 can be turned, as it rests on the pivot 0 provided on the supporting arm a.

In the form of execution illustrated the carrying beam 2) is shaped on all sides and provided with dove-tailed longitudinal planed slots for the fastening bolts of the suction box, so that the carrying arms 0 and the guides o, p can be moved longitudinally, whereby a most precise adjustment of the various parts is secured in the simplest way.

Of course, the sucker is not only to be .used for draining purposes, but also for ventilation purposes, particularly as a feltsucker.

What I claim is:

1. In a suction box for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member projecting into the suction chamber and shaped thereto but having a clearance between the approaching faces of said rollers and the sides of the closure member, and passage means 'openlng to sa1d end closure member for the withdrawal of liquid and air from the suc tion chamber, the portion of said closure member facing the pulp web bein of such flexibility that its sag, under wor ing conditions, substantially corresponds to that of the pulp web.

2. In a suction box for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member projecting into the suction chamber and shaped thereto but having a clearance between the approach ing faces of said rollers and the sides of the closure member, and passage means opening to said end closure member for the withdrawal of liquid and air from the suction chamber, theportion of said closure member facing the pulp web being of such flexibility that its sag, under working conditions, substantially corresponds to that of the pulp web, to ther with means for reguthe sag 0 said flexible portion.

lating 3. n a suction box for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suctlon box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member projecting into the suction chamber and shaped thereto but having a clearance between the approaching faces of said rollers and the sides of the closure member, and passage means opening to said end closure member for the withdrawal of liquid and air from the suction chamber, the portion of said closure member facing the pulp web comprising overlapped flexible plates.

4. In a suction box'for machines for drying paper, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member therefor, a beam on which said members are supported, a guide mounted on said beam, and an adjustlng screw carried by said guide and engaging said end closure member to adjust its protrusion into thesuction chamber.

5. In a suction box for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member therefor having a rack fast therewith, a beam on which said members are supported, a guide mounted on said beam, and an adjusting screw carried by said guide and engaging said rack on the closure member to adjust its protrusion into the suction chamber.

6. In a suction box for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member projecting into the suction chamber and shaped thereto but having a clearance between the approaching cardboard, cellulose, or the like,

faces of said rollers and the sides of the closure member, and passage means opening to said end closure member for the withdrawal of liquid and air from the suction chamber, together with separate conduits opening to said end closure member for the separate withdrawal of air and liquid from the suction chamber.

7. In a suction box for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member therefor, a supporting beam, and carrying arms secured thereto and having bearings in which said rollers are journaled.

8. In a suction box 'for machines for drying paper, card-board, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising rollers bearing against each other to form the suction chamber, an end closure member therefor, a supporting beam, carrying arms secured thereto, movable bearings mounted in said arms, and clamping members pivoted on said arms for holding said bearings in adjusted position.

9. In a suction box for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising a pair of spaced rollers and a pressing roller bearing against the same to form a suction chamber, a supporting beam, arms in which said pair of rollers are journaled, a lever pivoted to one of said arms and a bearing carried by said pivoted lever for supporting the pressing roller.

10. n a suction box for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose, or the like, a suction box comprising a pair of spaced rollers and a pressing rol er caring against the same to form a suction chamber, a supporting beam, arms in which said pair of rollers are journaled, a lever pivoted to one of said arms and a bearing carried by said pivoted lever for supporting the pressing roller, together with a spring bearing against said arm for holding said pressing roller against the pair of rollers.

11. A draining sucker for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose or the like in which the suction chamber is formed by rollers unrolling on each other and having a lateral tightening by means of hollow closing members projecting into the suction chamber, and fitting the section of the suction chamber, a clearance being left between said rollers and the closing members and at least one of said closing members serving for withdrawing liquid and air from the suction chamber, carrying roller fixedv by means of supporting arms to the carrying beams of the machine and pressing rollers supported in movable bearings of said supporting arms, these latter rollers unrolling on said carrying rollers with which they form a tight fit, the bushes of the carrying rollers having an eccentric bore and being fixable in a certain position.

12. A draining sucker for machines for drying paper, cardboard,cellulose or the like in which the suction chamber is formed by rollers unrolling on each other and having a lateral tightening by means of hollow closing members projecting into the suction chamber, and fitting the section of the suction chamber, a clearance being left between said rollers and the closing members and at least one of said closing members serving for withdrawing liquid and air from the suction chamber, carrying rollers fixed by means of supporting arms to the carrying beams of the machine and pressing rollers supported in movable bearings of said supporting arms, these latter rollers unrolling on said carrying rollers with which they form a tight fit, said supporting arms being movable longitudinally along the carrying beams of the machine.

13. A draining sucker for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose or the like in which thesuction chamber is formed by rollers unrolling on each other and having a lateral tightening by means of hollow closing members projecting into the suction chamber, and fittmgthe section of the suction chamber, a clearance being left between said rollers and the closing members and at least one of said closing members serving for withdrawing liquid and air from the suction chamber, said lateral closin members being movable laterally to the direction of travel of the machine-sieve by means of .a screw-gear and being supported in guides fixed to the carrying beams of the machine, said guides for the closing members being movable longitudinally along the carrying beams of the machine.

14. A draining sucker for machines for drying paper, cardboard, cellulose or the like in which the suction chamber is formed by rollers unrolling on each other and having a lateral tightening by means of hollow closing members projecting into the suction chamber, and fitting the section of the suc tion chamber, a clearance being left between said rollers and the closing members and at least one of said closing members serving for withdrawing liquid and air from the suction chamber, said lateral closin members being movable laterally to the direction of travel of the machine-sieve by means of a tooth-gear and being supported in guides fixed to the carrying beams of the machine, said uides for the closing members being movalile longitudinally along the carrying beams of the machine.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAX WENZEL.

Witnesses:

MATHILDE (ioLnsonu m'r, LUISE VOGEL. 

